India in the 1987 Cricket World Cup (Part 1)

India and Pakistan were the hosts of the 1987 Cricket World Cup or the Reliance World Cup. This was the first edition of the Cricket World Cup that was held outside England. The difference between the 1983 Cricket World Cup and this World Cup was that the number of overs a team played was decreased from 60 to 50. India was the defending champion in this World Cup. However, ultimately, Australia won this Cup by defeating England. India was placed in Group A along with Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

Group match against Australia

On 9th October 1987, India clashed in its first group match against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Madras. In its 50 overs, Australia collected 270 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Geoff Marsh faced 141 deliveries and scored 110 runs. Manoj Prabhakar bowled 10 overs, conceded 47 runs and took 2 wickets. India was all out for 269 in 49.5 overs. Navjot Sidhu scored 73 runs in 79 balls. Craig McDermott made 4 dismissals for 56 runs in 10 overs. Australia won this match by 1 run. Geoff Marsh was announced as Man of the Match.

Group match against New Zealand

India and New Zealand competed in a group match on 14th October 1987 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. India amassed 252 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Navjot Sidhu faced 71 deliveries and hit 75 runs. Dipak Patel bowled 10 overs, gave away 36 runs and took 3 wickets. New Zealand replied by scoring 236 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. Ken Rutherford gathered 75 runs in 95 deliveries. Maninder Singh made 2 dismissals for 40 runs in 10 overs. India won this match by 16 runs.

Group match against Zimbabwe

India played in its 3rd group match against Zimbabwe at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 17th October 1987. Zimbabwe batted first and was all out for 135 in 44.2 overs. Only Andrew Pycroft resisted the Indian attack and scored 61 runs in 102 balls. Manoj Prabhakar made 4 dismissals for 19 runs in 8 overs. India chased the target successfully and in 27.5 overs lost 2 wickets while scoring 136 runs. Dilip Vengsarkar remained unbeaten on 46 after facing 37 balls. John Traicos took 2 wickets for 27 runs in 8 overs. India won this match by 8 wickets. Manoj Prabhakar was honored as the Man of the Match. >

Thus, out of its initial 3 group matches, India lost the first match and won the next two matches. It stood a good chance to reach the semi-finals, if it performed well in the remaining matches.